Dublin, Ireland -- 2

Ohhh Dublin...
So I spent St. Patrick's Day in Dublin... The parade was great. Probably the best parade I have ever seen it was two hours long and it just kept getting better and better. After the parade I went to the temple bar area with a girl I met at my hostel for some lunch. It was packed and everyone was already drunk. After that I came back to my hostel and got ready for round two. I went out that night ready for the biggest party of my life. Typically you're not allowed to drink in the streets of Dublin. You don't get in a lot of trouble they usually make you dump it out in front of them and then you go on your way but that night everyone was allowed to drink in the streets. The bars were so packed we decided it was best to go to the store and grab some beers just in case. So in between bars I was getting drunk on the streets and trying not to get glass in my shoes. I have to say I was very surprised by the whole night. I was told on my walking tour a few days prior that until fairly recently Christmas, Good Friday and St. Patrick's Day were the only three days in Ireland where you couldn't buy or sell alcohol. So, it was more of a religious holiday. Then Ireland saw what America had done with the holiday and they decided to celebrate it more as a party. I think it kind of shows that they are a little behind in the partying. Don't get me wrong, it was a great time but it almost felt like an Americanized version of what it should have been. Bottom-line Americans know how to party. It's not that Dubliners can't they just do it differently. Irish people can hang. They wake up in the morning and crack a beer and continuously drink throughout the whole day and act normal until they punch someone out or smash their face with a beer bottle at the end of the night and then they go home like it was no big deal. I've never seen so many fights as I have here. A lot of anger. I love it. It's hilarious. 
I've also come to realize there is only one answer or response to every question... No matter what the question is the answer is always "fuck off"... Can I get directions? Fuck off. How's the rugby game going? Fuck off. Why did you just elbow me? Fuck off. It works for everything. And I've been noticing myself using it. Some girl full on pushed me today when I was shopping and was like "ughhh, EXCUSE me!!!!" and I was just like "FUCK off!"

Anywho, the day after St. Patrick's Day I had a slight hangover and decided to take it a little slow. Plus the whole city smelt like farts. I did some shopping. Took a nice little stroll through the park and just enjoyed my day... I went to the movies that night. I saw The Commitments which is apparently everyone in Ireland's favorite movie. It was a fun time. I had never been to the movies alone and I must say I enjoyed it. I got to watch the movie without someone talking to me or me asking someone stupid questions...

The next day I went on a day trip to the country. I went to Wicklow and other southern towns. I saw some really beautiful landscapes. It was exactly what you picture in your head Ireland to look like. Green mountains. Fields of daffodils. Lakes that look like Guinness. It was a really nice trip and it definitely made me want to see more of this country. Especially at a different time of year when everything is in full bloom and green and the heather is purple. Some other time though, fo sho.

These fucktards next to me are talking the bases. Someone needs to tell this kid that third base is oral or he's in for a real surprise later from the slore next to him... "Hooking up is like making out and touching bodies or privates." Umm hooking up is fucking. You're in your twenties, get it together, it's 2011, stop saying privates. "Yeah, I've never really had you know good sex with a girl, I don't know. It's complicated but yeah, it's never been good.".... I can't believe I'm gonna have to be the one to tell this kid he should probably try fucking guys. I guarantee he'd love it. You gotta find what you like and stick to it. Don't sell yourself short. Live it up.

The day after my day trip to the countryside I met up with a friend I made in London. It was nice seeing a familiar face. We just hung out and did some shopping and whatnot. We went to dinner in temple bar. We wanted a traditional Irish dinner with live Irish music. We went to a place that looked like a winner. I ended up getting Caesar salad because I'm a douche and the only traditional thing on the menu was Irish stew and I don't eat lamb. The live music ended up being jazz and an ambulance had to come because there was a fight outside. Even though it was extremely unsuccessful it was still nice and some how still very typical Dublin.

Today is my last full day in Ireland and I will spend most of it traveling to my hotel and reorganizing my life and luggage. I've had a great time though. Each city was completely different and I loved them all for different reasons...

Madrid was tough because it was the beginning and I didn't know what to expect at all but it ended up being amazing. I met some of the most wonderful people who I will continue to keep in touch with. They really helped me adjust and they ended up being like family. I ended up loving the city not for the sights but for what it had to offer me. Their way of life helped me relax and enjoy my life more.

Rome was an experience. It had been tough leaving Madrid and all those people behind and getting used to my hostel was hard as well. I ended up feeling really comfortable though and I knew my way around the city and met a few really great people I hope to see on future travels. Rome helped me realize that knowing the history of things is good and that unfortunately religion isn't really my thing but educating myself about it is good. Finding my own religion or faith in something is just as good. Even if it's as simple as just being a better person.

London was exciting. There was always so much to do there at any time of the day and I could go back and do so much more and be happy with doing everything I did over again. It also made me realize that British accents aren't that sexy which will be helpful for me in the future. Next time I hear a boy with an accent maybe I'll actually listen to what he's saying and the chances are I'll be bored with it and move on. I know it's lame but London taught me to dress better. Everyone know matter who they are or what they look like puts time and effort in to their outfits and accessories every day. I think that's a great thing. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good. When you look good you feel good and then it's easier to make others feel good and to have a great time. 

Dublin taught me lots of things. This city is awesome. The locals are great and friendly. This city taught me that I have no control over most things and I just need to let whatever is going to happen, happen. That even when shit is bad that you're still alive so it's still pretty great. That you can't waste time and you need to make every day count so that when you go home at the end of the day no matter what you did you can say it was a great day. 

I've learned a lot on my trip. I think it was the best thing I could've done at this point in my life. Some days were hard especially in the beginning but most days were easy and most days I was grateful for all that I was doing and accomplishing on my own. Traveling on my own for the first time was an experience. Definitely far from what I expected but I wouldn't change a single thing about my trip not even the bad days. Even the days I struggled or got upset or asked myself why I did this all by myself were good because it gave me time to think. It made me realize being upset or sad isn't a bad thing and it doesn't mean I'm weak it just means it's my way of working through the situation and that's ok. 

Knowing what to expect out of traveling alone makes me realize I could absolutely do this again and I could do it for longer. If I learned one thing on this entire trip it's that if you want to do something no matter what it is then just do it. Don't ever let anyone hold you back from doing what you want to do. If someone else doesn't want to do it then who cares go do it yourself. It might be scary at first but you get over it and you learn how to be happy alone. If you can't be happy alone or make yourself happy then you certainly can't make anyone else happy. 

When you figure out who you are and what you want out of life and you can both accept it and be happy about it, that's what it's all about. 

Yeah so, corny shit. I did the whole typical cliche thing. I went to Europe and I found myself. I figured out my life. So now when someone tells me they went to Europe and they found themselves I can be like FUCK OFF but then be like yes, I completely understand.

Enough of this preaching shit. I'm still the same person, no worries. I'm not gonna come home all changed and religious and telling people what they need to do. I still hate those people. I don't give a fuck what you do with your life just take some advice from TLC.. It's not just them no one wants no scrub or pigeon, whatevs. I don't know what I'm saying anymore so I'm glad we're all on the same page with that.

So, this will be my last bloggy... ever. But, it's been real. I've had a great time sharing most of my stories with you peeps and maybe someday we'll do this again...

Until then... I'm gonna dance to some Ace of Base in my hotel room.
Check ya later.